Posts Tagged ‘To Dicks House We Go’

One of the most important aspects of awareness of one’s own sexuality is keeping you and your partner healthy. One way to do this is through awareness of the risk of STD’s and the possibility of personal exposure. STD screening at Dick’s House is typically quick and easy. You can schedule an appointment with a provider by calling the Dick’s House appointment office at 603-646-9401. If you are not having any symptoms, STD screening typically involves obtaining a urine sample to check for Chlamydia and doing an oral swab for HIV testing. Please do not urinate one hour prior to the appointment. We recommend this screening annually or with any new partners. Getting yourself screened for STD’s and asking your partner to get screened should not be seen as a sign of promiscuity or lack of trust. Instead, see it as part of a routine to keep yourself and your current and future sexual partners healthy. You can expect to have accurate Chlamydia results 3 weeks after exposure and accurate HIV results 3 months after exposure.

If you are having any concerning symptoms it is important that you come in for screening as soon as you can. Symptoms that you should be seen for are any genital lesions or sores, unusual vaginal or urethral discharge, burning with urination, pelvic or testicular discomfort or any other symptoms you are concerned about.

While on the topic of virginity, we wanted to issue a reminder that yes, no matter how beautiful/special/awkward/unsatisfying your first time is, if you are a fertile female and have intercourse, there is a chance that you will become pregnant. Additionally, unprotected sex puts you at risk for STI’s. With any partner, it is not possible to be checked for every sexually transmitted infection and many infections do not have symptoms that may be visible. Dick’s house recommends using condoms or dental dams with all sexual activity to help decrease risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection, in addition to helping prevent pregnancy.

If you do have unprotected sex or your contraceptive fails, Plan B can be a great backup. While it does not protect against any sexually transmitted infections, when taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, it can help to prevent pregnancy. It uses a heightened level of levonorgestrel to prevent ovulation and fertilization. Plan B is now available over the counter and can be purchased at the Dick’s House pharmacy. It can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected intercourse but is more effective the sooner you take it. You may have some spotting and breakthrough bleeding a few days after you take Plan B. If you do not get your menstrual period within 3 weeks of taking Plan B, we do recommend you see somebody at Dick’s House so you can have a pregnancy test. Or, use a condom and birth control, and make Plan B the back up plan to the back up plan!